HPG: We will honor our martyrs with victory

The Media Center of the People's Defense Forces (HPG) issued a statement today commemorating the martyrs of the revolution and the martyrs of the month of May. The statement read:

“Our struggle for freedom has grown thanks to the martyrs and has reached its highest levels to secure a dignified and free future for our people. These martyrs walked without hesitation toward martyrdom. The Apoist freedom movement has offered martyrs every day and month over 52 years of continuous struggle, creating a ‘martyrs’ army’ and a ‘martyrs’ path’ that represent the most sacred values for the Kurdish people. On May 18, 1977, revolutionary leader Haki Karer, whom Leader Apo refers to as ‘his hidden soul’, was martyred. Thus, this day became ‘Martyrs’ Day’ and the entire month of May became the ‘Month of Martyrs.’ Our martyrs are the main source of strength that gives us life. They built the power to pursue our values without yielding to any obstacles. The people of Kurdistan have deeply felt and understood this truth, always honoring their martyrs with pride and dedicating their lives to embracing and supporting them. The month of May witnessed many great martyrs who etched history with their legendary resistance.

Martyrs of May

On May 1, Abdel Qader Jobokcu was martyred in Lebanon, as were the commander of the Garzan area, Ramadan Kaplan (Jalal Khoja), and his comrades, along with the valued commander of Judi, Hamza, and his comrades. On May 2, our early commanders Muhammad Qara Songur and Ibrahim Bilgin, as well as Azad Siser and Jekdar Amed from the central field, were martyred. On May 4, during the Dersim massacre of 1937, thousands of our people were martyred. On May 6, Deniz Gezmiş, Yusuf Aslan, and Huseyin Inan were martyred, along with the global revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara. On May 9, Farzad Kamangar, a beloved guerrilla in PJAK, was martyred alongside Shirin Alamhouli, Ali Heydarian, Farhad Vakili, and Alush Birqadar Oglu. On May 11, Gurbet Aydin (Mazkin) was martyred, and on May 12, Leyla Qasim and four comrades were martyred.

On May 16, comrade Helin was martyred in Hawler. On May 18, four comrades (Farhad Kurtay, Ashraf Anik, Mahmoud Zengin, Najmi Onar) and the revolutionary pioneer Ibrahim Kaypakaya were martyred. On May 19, Khalil Cawgun and Muslim Baran were martyred. On May 22, 2001, 16 comrades were martyred in a chemical weapons attack by the Turkish occupying army in the Yedisu region of Çewlîk. On May 25, comrade Ahmad Kesib (Jamshid) and the pioneering martyrs Andok and Erish from the Immortals Battalion were martyred. On May 27, comrade Ismail Nazal Kol (Qasim Angin) was also martyred. On May 31, Turkish revolutionary leader Sinan Cemgil and his comrades were martyred in Nurhak.

We remember comrades Fuad and Riza with gratitude and respect

The 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), held from May 5 to 7 this year, was dedicated to the memory of comrades Fuad (Ali Haydar Kaytan) and Riza Alton, whose martyrdom was announced during the congress. Comrade Fuad, the first companion of Leader Apo, was a wise comrade, a leader of our struggle, who filled his heart with the love and spirit of Leader Apo. As a dear member of the Apoist line, he left a lasting mark on our struggle. Comrade Riza devoted himself and his entire family to the cause of freedom without hesitation, fought fearlessly, and with his determination became a towering symbol of courage. He was a seasoned fighter from the early days of struggle, a great defender, a prison resistance figure, and a powerful diplomat for democratic politics. His name echoed across the world. We remember all martyrs, especially PKK pioneers Fuad and Riza, whose memory, comradeship, historic struggle, and great character cannot be captured by any book, with deepest appreciation, respect, and love.

The Month of Martyrs

The month of May became the Month of Martyrs due to the legendary resistance of thousands of heroes who were martyred in its course, giving this month great meaning. On the 48th anniversary of their martyrdom, and through the figure of our great leader Haki Karer, we remember all martyrs of the revolution and the martyrs of May and pledge to crown their memory with victory in our struggle.”

A-H

ANHA